Flames New GM Sets Top Goal Of Extending Key Player

New Calgary Flames GM Craig Conroy was officially introduced on Tuesday, and he realizes he's got a lot of business to take care of in short order in his new job. 

The team has no less than seven players that will be entering unrestricted free agency after the coming season, and Conroy has already set his sights on getting an extension done with the most important of those, Elias Lindholm.

#Flames GM Craig Conroy says Elias Lindholm “is going to be one of the first calls.” Lindholm is among those eligible to be UFA next summer.
Conroy: “Obviously, he’s a priority here. 

— Wes Gilbertson (@WesGilbertson) May 23, 2023

The 28-year-old center is wrapping up a 6-year, $29M contract, and is due for a big raise. Conroy confirmed today that “he’s going to be one of my first calls. He’s a priority here. For me, he’s a player you build around.”

And based on the recent past for the Flames (star players leaving), Conroy is adamant about not letting past mistakes by the club be repeated. 

Craig Conroy mentioning Johnny Gaudreau leaving by free agency last season...and saying he'd never let that happen again.

Yeah, there's no chance the Flames let Elias Lindholm play through next season without a contract.

— Julian McKenzie (@jkamckenzie) May 23, 2023

Lindholm is a first-line center, with key responsibilities not only at 5-on-5, but also on the first power play unit as well as the top penalty kill unit. He's produced offense at a consistent, solid level over the course of his five years in Calgary, although his numbers dipped a bit this past season to 22 goals, 42 assists and 64 points. 

As recently noted by Flames Nation, comparable contracts Lindholm might be in line for on an extension include the likes of Dylan Larkin, Bo Horvat, and Mika Zibanejad, all of whom received 8-year deals at $8.5M+ AAV. 

It's straight to work for Conroy.